Jerusalem/Cairo: Eight Israeli soldiers lost their lives in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, the military confirmed, amid ongoing operations in and around Rafah. Concurrent strikes across Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 19 Palestinians.
Hamas’ military wing reported ambushing an armored personnel carrier in Rafah’s Tel Al-Sultan area, inflicting casualties among Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces have been advancing in this region for weeks, with tanks pushing forward and shells impacting the coastal area, where thousands of displaced Palestinians seek shelter.
Despite mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, an agreement remains elusive over eight months since the conflict began in October. In retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza City suburbs, residents reported at least 15 fatalities across two houses, while four others perished in separate southern Gaza attacks, according to medics.
The Israeli military disclosed seizing significant weapon caches from Rafah, including hidden armaments in Hamas’ extensive tunnel network. It condemned Hamas militants for launching rockets from civilian areas, calling it a cynical use of humanitarian infrastructure as shields.
Meanwhile, the Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, stated that Israel’s hostages in Gaza could only be released if Israel ceased hostilities and withdrew its forces from the enclave. This declaration came in a video posted on Telegram.
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Since a temporary truce in November, repeated ceasefire attempts have failed, with Hamas demanding an end to the conflict and full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on military action until Hamas is dismantled.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 37,296 Palestinians, including 30 in the past 24 hours, have lost their lives in Israel’s campaign aimed at neutralizing Hamas.
